Christians worldwide receive ashes on their foreheads today.WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13: The gaiety of Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday has ended and today—Ash Wednesday—begins the 40 days of Lent.

LENT FACTS FACTS: DID YOU KNOW?

World’s Biggest Religion: 1 in 3 people on Earth are Christian, according to Pew’s new Global Religious Landscape. Of those 2.2 billion people, half are Catholic, 27 percent are Protestant and 12 percent are Eastern Orthodox.
The East Starts Later: The nearly 300 million Eastern Christians start Lent with Clean Monday, but that doesn’t fall this year until March 18. From East to West, Christian leaders still disagree on rules for calculating the dates of Lent and Easter.
More Than a Religious Holiday: Ash Wednesday was the first long poem written by T.S. Eliot after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. Many artists, musicians and writers have used Ash Wednesday as a setting or a metaphor, including three movies titled for the holiday (all of which were flops and are rarely seen today).

COME ALONG ON ‘AN INTIMATE LENTEN JOURNEY’ …

FREE FOR YOU in ReadTheSpirit:
TODAY, ReadTheSpirit begins a weekly series of inspiring Lenten stories by author Dr. Benjamin Pratt. The overall series is called “An Intimate Lenten Journey,” inspired by Father Richard Rohr’s encouragement of intimacy in faith. Dr. Pratt’s first column in this new series is titled “From Generation to Generation—Deep Calls to Deep,” borrowing a phrase from Psalm 42.

ASH WEDNESDAY CUSTOMS

“Lent is the 40-day liturgical season of fasting, special prayer and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. … The number 40 is first noted in the Canons of Nicaea (A.D. 325), likely in imitation of Jesus’ fast in the desert before His public ministry.” That is part of a helpful Guide to a Catholic Lent posted at the Our Sunday Visitor website. Founded just over a century ago, Our Sunday Visitor became the most popular weekly newspaper among Catholic families in the U.S. Right now, Our Sunday Visitor newspapers in 6,000 Catholic parishes nationwide feature a cover story about a “More Meaningful Lent.”

ASH WEDNESDAY DIVERSITY: While 1 in 4 Americans identifies as Catholic, most American Christians are Protestant, and Ash Wednesday customs vary widely among Protestants—including some denominations that do little to mark the Lenten season. In fact, diversity in marking Ash Wednesday circles the globe. Curious what Ash Wednesday looks like around the world? View a slideshow from Boston.com.

WHY ASHES? Down through the centuries, Christian teachers have given many reasons for the use of ashes in starting Lent. Among the reasons listed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are: “Ashes remind us of God’s condemnation of sin, as God said to Adam, ‘Dust you are and to dust you shall return’ (Genesis 3:19). And, ashes suggest cleansing and renewal. They were used anciently in the absence of soap. On Ash Wednesday ashes are a penitential substitute for water as a reminder of our baptism.”

BURNING PALMS TO MAKE ASHES: In many churches around the world, ashes are made each year by burning palm fronds preserved and dried from the previous year’s Holy Week. After burning down into a finely powdered ash, the material often is sifted and then mixed with a bit of olive oil. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers detailed Ash Wednesday instructions, including tips for properly preparing and preserving ashes.

LENTEN IDEAS FOR EVERYONE: Another popular source of Lenten materials is the United Methodist website, which provides dozens of pages with inspirational readings, tips and activities for families.

REMEMBER, TODAY: ReadTheSpirit begins a series of inspiring Lenten stories by Dr. Benjamin Pratt.

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12: Haul out the eggs, sugar and cream, and let yourself indulge—it’s Fat Tuesday, the last 24 hours before the start of Western Christian Lent. Recipes vary by country—the English fry up pancakes, Polish and Lithuanians make donuts and Swedes and Finns cook up semla pastries (shown above)—but all reflect the old Christian tradition of using up the rich foods in one’s home before starting the fasting season of Lent. (Wikipedia has details.)

Originally, Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras, in French) was known as “Shrove Tuesday,” which derived from shrive, meaning “to confess.” (Learn more from Fish Eaters, a Catholic site.) Tradition has it that if Christians obtain absolution from their sins by way of Confession before Ash Wednesday, they can better approach the weeks of Lent that lead toward Easter.

FREE FOR YOU in ReadTheSpirit: TODAY, ReadTheSpirit begins a weekly series of inspiring Lenten stories by author Benjamin Pratt. Learn about the global importance of Lent and enjoy Ben’s first story now.

ORIGINS OF CARNIVAL: DID YOU KNOW?

BRAZIL: Young dancers in Indian garb for the elaborate Carnival in Brazil. Visitors come from around the world for the lavish show. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.The popular Carnival associated with Mardi Gras, primarily celebrated in Portuguese-, Spanish- and Italian-speaking countries, derives from carne levare, meaning “to take away flesh/meat.” Street processions abound in Brazil and Venice for Carnival, while a customary eating of salted meat takes a literal meaning to the day in Iceland.

PANCAKE RACES? Gorging on paczkis (pronounced pounch-keys) may be customary in the United States, but the custom of eating pancakes in the United Kingdom takes place on such a massive scale that the tradition has all but been renamed “Pancake Day.” The most famous pancake race has been held annually since 1445 in Olney at Buckinghamshire. Legend has it that a housewife was once so busy making pancakes that she lost track of the time until she heard the church bells ringing for service, and she raced out of the house while still carrying her pan with pancakes. Today in Olney, contestants of the pancake race must carry a frying pan and toss pancakes along the race course; all participants are required to wear an apron and scarf. A church service always follows the races. (Access authentic English pancake recipes at This is Gloucestershire.)

CANCEL CARNIVAL?

Brazil, the global hub of Carnival celebrations, hasn’t altogether canceled its 2013 season—the Huffington Post released a series of photos from this year’s preparations—but at least 20 cities have reported canceling their festivities due to mourning over the recent nightclub fire in Rio Grande do Sul. (The Atlantic has the story.) The fire, which claimed 235 lives, was ignited by a band’s stage show.

NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS 2013

Parades and festivities start gearing up the weekend before Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras New Orleans offers an in-depth look at the rich history behind this American party (along with parade routes, photos and much more). Fox News recently reported on the flurry of activities already going on in New Orleans. Staying home on Mardi Gras? Check out recipes for everything from jambalaya and crab cakes to king cake at Taste of Home, Southern Living and Martha Stewart. Kids can craft masks with help from Kaboose.

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11: An event witnessed by a peasant just 155 years ago has sparked the production of millions of statues worldwide, during the first Marian apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes. On this date in 1858, a 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous was collecting firewood and bones with her sister when she removed her shoes and stockings to wade through water near a grotto. Suddenly, Bernadette peered into a niche in the grotto to see a “dazzling light, and a white figure.” From February until July, Bernadette would see 17 more apparitions in this spot.

Born into a working class family, Bernadette spent long childhood hours at her father’s mill and suffered from asthma. It was during a cold day’s work that Bernadette experienced her first Marian apparition, and three days later, Bernadette returned to the grotto with holy water to “test” it; when the apparition welcomed the holy water, Bernadette deemed her blessed. (Wikipedia has details.) Bernadette’s state of ecstasy scared those around her, yet she continued returning to the grotto to pray and dig for a spring—all directed by the apparition. Word of the miraculous spring spread through Lourdes, and soon, pilgrims were flocking there for healing and cures. Investigations, medical tests and conflicts arose, but Bernadette continued to visit the grotto.

Various medical investigations have taken place at the Lourdes grotto since pilgrims first started flocking there, and because of this, many Lourdes cures deemed “officially miraculous.” (Pray a Nine Day Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes.)

Still, Catholics are not required to believe the accuracy of the apparitions at Lourdes, as they were private revelations and not public revelations. All recent popes have shown faith by visiting the Lourdes shrine, however, and Pope Benedict XVI commemorated its 150th anniversary in 2008.

Down with the holly, ivy, all, Where with ye dress’d the Christmas Hall.

-Robert Herrick, Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Attention, all procrastinators—those last Christmas decorations must go, following the old custom that leaving any trace of holly or berries after Candlemas is inauspicious. Candlemas also is known as the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, exactly 40 days after the Nativity. (Wikipedia has details.) In European countries, Christ’s crèche is put away on Candlemas Eve, and in some Latin countries, the crèche is replaced with a representation of the Child Jesus—signaling the time to switch devotion to the Divine Childhood and coming Passion.

Folklore abounds on Candlemas (think Groundhog Day), but it’s a biblical event that began the celebration of this feast. The Gospel of Luke describes Mary and Joseph toting the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth.

While at the Temple, the Holy Family encountered two prophets: Simeon and Anna. You can read the entire story in Luke 2:22-38. According to the Gospel, Simeon and Anna both recognized the child as Divine. Simeon speaks praise to God in Luke 2 and declares: “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Candlemas bring delicious foods and vibrant customs! For Candlemas in France, burning candles light tables piled high with crepes. One French custom holds that a cook who can flip a crepe while holding a coin in the other hand will assure his family prosperity in the coming year. (Check out crepe recipes at FishEaters.) In Mexico and Guatemala City, Candlemas brings tamales and hot chocolate, often served at a party thrown by the person who found the baby Jesus trinket in an Epiphany King Cake. (Catholic Culture offers directions for a Candlemas ceremony.)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2013 draws attention to India and the Dalits—a group experiencing suffering, and in which 80 percent of the country’s Christians have a background. Photo in public domainFRIDAY, JANUARY 18: Christians turn to India for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2013, which begins today and continues for an Octave (eight days). This international ecumenical observance encourages churches to switch pulpits, learn another point of view and join hands in prayer; the World Council of Churches joins with partners each year to select a text recommended for Christian churches around the world. This year, participants turn to the Dalits in India for evidence of how the theme can be carried out: “What does God require of us?” (Micah 6:6-8).

Nearly 80 percent of Indian Christians have a Dalit background, and due to India’s caste system, the Dalits are considered “outcasts.” Socially marginalized and underrepresented in politics, the communities where Dalits live are are some of the most polluted and poorest locations in India. (Read more from the Catholic Register.) Organizers this year ask Christians both in India and outside to close the gaps, work for justice and reach out for unity among all Christians. In a recent speech, Pope Benedict XVI asked that everyone pray, “persistently asking God for the great gift of unity between all of the Lord’s disciples.” (Watch and read more from Rome Reports.) Following the speech, the Pope sent a resounding Tweet: “If we have love for our neighbor, we will find the face of Christ in the poor, the weak, the sick and the suffering.”

Celebrating its 105th year, the Week of Prayer began in 1908 as the Octave of Christian Unity. Popes further blessed the idea, but it didn’t catch on for the majority of Christianity until 1948, with the founding of the World Council of Churches. (Wikipedia has details.) Two decades later, the first official use materials were created, and today’s materials can be downloaded for free. (The Vatican also provides the documents.)

As January marks vacation time in the Southern Hemisphere, an alternative week is sought for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; it usually falls around Pentecost. Next year, Canadians will choose the readings for the Week of Prayer 2014.

Photo courtesy of FotopediaTHURSDAY, JANUARY 17: Attention, animals: Come one, come all, on the Feast of St. Anthony! Several branches of Christianity may recognize St. Anthony, but no group marks today’s feast quite like Hispanic Catholics—with their elaborately dressed animals in tow. For hundreds of years, Latino Catholics have brought decorated cattle, pigs, livestock, cats, dogs and other domestic pets to church for an official St. Anthony’s blessing. Tradition has it that this 3rd century saint bore a unique connection with animals.

Wait, you say—isn’t the animal blessing ceremony performed in October?

For many—yes. The majority of Christian churches perform animal blessings on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, which falls in October. Yet despite having preceded St. Francis by more than 900 years, St. Anthony is much less renowned than the later saint.

The year was 251 CE when St. Anthony (the Abbot) was born in Egypt. This early saint led a posh lifestyle until his parents’ death 18 years later; St. Anthony then sought a different life, giving away his inherited fortune, placing his sister among the nuns and following a local hermit himself. Though ascetics had existed before him, St. Anthony would become known for being the first to live in the wilderness, amongst only animals and nature—completely cut off from human civilization. (Wikipedia has details.)

As the years passed, St. Anthony ventured further into isolation, eventually taking root in a fort where a small crevice, just large enough for food to come through, was his only means of access to visitors. Miraculously, it was upon his final departure from this fort that local villagers found Anthony spiritually refreshed, healthy and enlightened; not insane or wasted away, as they had expected. This event earned St. Anthony a place among legends.

It’s with irony that St. Anthony, the extreme ascetic, is known for spreading monasticism: the hundreds of men and women who followed him into the desert became organized into loose communities. The story of St. Anthony took off in popularity when his biography, Life of St. Anthony, was translated into Latin not long after his death. It’s highly regarded that St. Anthony faced temptations from the devil while in the desert, and the Christian Church today points to this saint as a prime example of defending one’s soul from evil.

PET BLESSINGS:
FROM NEW MEXICO TO MALTA

Across the globe today and this weekend, pets will march into churches beside owners for a blessing all their own. Author Diana L. Guerrero attests, on her blog, that pet-oriented services are on the increase. She also reports that people cross religious lines to find common ground with animals. From Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Xaghra, Malta, St. Anthony draws animal lovers from far and wide.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE
TO HOST ANIMAL CRISIS TALKS

Next month, Buckingham Palace is set to host discussions regarding the threat of extinction for several animal species—threats linked to a $12 billion illegal wildlife trade.

Fueling that trade are some wealthy Chinese buyers, these days. So, the Duke of Edinburgh will meet with China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs to discuss the wildlife crisis, backed by representatives of Taoist faith who previously banned the use of endangered species in remedies for its followers. (DNA India reports.) It’s reported that rhinoceros populations have fallen 90 percent since 1970, primarily due to illegal poaching for Chinese medicine; the world’s tiger population has fallen by 97 percent. Next month, the 91-year-old Duke will encourage the Chinese government to support the Taoists in bringing awareness to the incorrect use of traditional Chinese medicine.